While the press release hasn't been officially issued yet, AICN got their mitts on the news that "The Last King of Scotland," "Frost/Nixon" and "The Queen" writer Peter Morgan will be digging into the James Bond franchise for his next project. Morgan will join screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who also wrote 2006's "Casino Royale" and 2008's "Quantum of Solace."

The Bond series received of reboot of sorts with "Casino," which served as an origin story. Actor Daniel Craig stepped in to play the new Bond, and the Purvis/Wade writing team was further bolstered by "Crash" screenwriter Paul Haggis. Haggis also had a hand in writing the "Quantum" follow-up, but it appears that he'll be replaced in this outing by Morgan.

The next, as-yet-untitled Bond flick will be the 23rd in the long-running series, which is adapted from novelist Ian Fleming's tales of the dapper MI6 agent with a license to kill. Longtime producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are understandably pleased with their new hire, issuing the statement that "Peter, Neal and Robert are extraordinarily talented and we’re looking forward to working with the three of them."

From where I'm sitting, this is fantastic news. I don't have a problem with Paul Haggis per se, but I've never been a big fan of his "Crash" and I felt that the writing in "Casino" was a bit stilted at times. To be fair, Haggis is only one of three possible culprits and, since I haven't seen "Quantum," I can't say if the situation improved in the trio's second outing together. No matter how you slice it though, Morgan brings an excellent reputation and considerable skills to the table. Methinks that the 23rd Bond, which will once again feature Daniel Craig in the starring role, is one to watch.

Are you shaken or stirred by the news that Morgan has replaced Haggis on Bond's writing team? What are your hopes for this 23rd (and counting!) outing in the series?